Kush77
New member
- Joined:
- Mar 15, 2009
- Posts:
- 2,096
- Liked Posts:
- 151
As a kid growing up in Chicago I worshiped Michael Jordan. I watched every Bulls game I could and even got fired from a job in November of 1996 because I called in sick to go see the Bulls play the Lakers at the United Center. Basketball is my favorite sport, and it's because of one man - Michael Jordan.
So when the news came out over the summer that NBA 2K locked in MJ to be part of the top basketball video game franchise, I was thrilled. When news came out about how the G.O.A.T. would be utilized, 10 classic moments that includes opponents, I started to lose my mind.
That was the feeling I had last week when I got an advanced copy of NBA 2K11. I plan on doing a review for NBA 2K11 overall (Associated mode, My Player, etc.) but in this review I wanted to focus on the Jordan Challenge and the memories it will bring back to -- not only Bulls fans -- but fans of other great NBA teams as well.
The Jordan Challenge is a game mode that features 10 classic moments in the career of MJ. You will have to play through all 10 challenges and accomplish certain goals in each one. The moments include Game 2 of the 1986 first-round playoff series vs. the mighty Boston Celtics, Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals vs. the Portland Trailblazers and Game 3 of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Detroit Pistons. You can see a full list of the challenges here.
In the challenge against the Portland Trailblazers you'll have to replicate MJ's NBA Finals record 35 first-half points, as well as drain six 3-pointers in that first half. You'll be called on to play some defense too, as you'll be required to hold Portland's Clyde Drexler to under 20 points. And, of course, you'll have to win the game.
The 2K broadcast crew of Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg and Doris Burke also recorded era-specific commentary for these games. When I was playing Game 6 of the 1996 NBA Finals vs. the Seattle SuperSonics, Clark Kellogg mentions Ron Harper's knee injury and how it has bothered him throughout the series. When I was playing Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals vs. the L.A. Lakers, after hitting my first shot with Jordan, Kevin Harlan says "Jordan picking up right where he left off in the Detroit series." The commentary was very well done.
I think 2K did a good job with the stadiums and players. The biggest complaint that I've heard, from talking to gamers and reading community message boards, are that the shorts are too long on the old school teams. John Stockton and Patrick Ewing's shorts should be at their thighs, not down to their knees. But that's a minor gripe that will be quickly forgotten once you get into the game itself.
And speaking of minor gripes, I have one. When you play the challenge vs. the '91 L.A. Lakers (which requires you to play a full best-of-seven series) the loading screen gives you a brief description of what happened in that 1991 NBA Finals. It says that Michael Jordan rebounded from a Game 1 "embarrassment" to rally the Bulls and win the series in five games. Now MJ did miss the potential game-winning basket in Game 1 -- just barely. But I would hardly call a Game 1 performance of 36 points on 14-of-24 shooting, 12 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 steals an "embarrassment." I only dream to be that embarrassing on the basketball court. Again, a very minor gripe, but the Jordan fanboy in me had to point that out.
The Jordan Challenge games all are eight-minute quarters and this cannot be adjusted. But 2K gives you the option of saving in-game. So if you're up 10 points in the third quarter against '97 Jazz, and you have to leave for work, you can just save the game and pick up where you left off later that night.
What makes this challenge even better is the amount of classic players that 2K was able to sign to the rosters. For the eight classic Bulls teams ('86, '90, '91, '92, '95, '96, '97 and '98) all the starters are on the game, and a majority of the bench players. The biggest names missing from the Bulls' roster are probably Scott Williams, who was part of the first three title teams, and Randy Brown, who was on the roster for the Bulls' second 3-peat.
The roster for the opposing classic teams have starting lineups, but are missing a few names. No Bill Walton on the '86 Celtics, no Vinnie Johnson or Mark Aguirre on the '90 Pistons and no Kevin Duckworth on the '92 Blazers. The bench is made out of filler players with names like William Jones. And if you're like me, you'll probably want to take the time and create some of the players I mentioned and place them on the roster. But overall I'm very impressed with all the players 2K was able to land for the Jordan Challenge.
Another great part of NBA 2K11 is that you can take any of these classic teams into your season or Association mode. You can fully customize the league to your liking. If you want to bring in the '96 Bulls, '91 Lakers and '90 Pistons into the league, and boot the Cavaliers, Raptors and Wizards, you can do that. No offense to Cavaliers, Raptors or Wizards fans. You will not be able to play with the classic teams online, ranked match or online leagues.
Once you complete the Jordan Challenge you will unlock "MJ: Creating a Legend" mode. This mode allows you to take a rookie Michael Jordan, place him on any team in the NBA, and play through his career in a My Player-type fashion. As MJ gets older you'll start to see changes in him physically as he'll get stronger and balder.
This game is a dream come true for Bulls fans and all basketball fans in general. 2K has given us a truly great basketball game. And this is only one part of it. The Jordan Challenge could honestly be a game on its own, that's how much fun it is. Enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Click Here To View on Suburban Chicago News
By: Kush77
